Emergency Evacuation Guidelines

Emergency Evacuation GuidelinesForPersons With Disabilities

The content of this document is for informational purposes only.
It is not intended for medical or legal advice.

General Guidelines

Assign office, class, and event locations, if possible, in most accessible locations.
Ensure egress routes and areas of refuge are always clear and properly marked.
Participate in and help identify gaps in evacuation plans during practice drills.
The person with the disability may be the best authority on how to be evacuated. Always ask how you can help before attempting any assistance.
Provide adequate notice that a potential danger exists and that evacuation should begin.
Offer assistance but let the person explain what help is needed.
Carrying a person is not advisable except in the most extreme of circumstances. When necessary, use carrying methods described in PLU’s Emergency Procedure Handbook.
Be aware that a service animal's sense of direction may become confused during an emergency.
Do not abandon the person after exiting a building. Lead to a safe place with others.

The following are some specific suggestions that may provide additional assistance for specific disabilities.

Assisting Persons who Use Wheelchairs

Be familiar with designated areas of refuge and location of evacuation equipment for wheelchair users.
Ask the person what method of assistance he/she prefers.
If the person is unable to speak clearly, look for a sign on the chair with printed instructions.
Only in situations of extreme danger should untrained people attempt to carry a person in a wheelchair.
Prior to moving the person, check for life-support equipment.
Be aware that wheelchairs have parts not designed to handle the stress of lifting.
If you and/or others cannot safely carry a person up/down stairs, don't. Instead
Position the person in the safest place possible according to the emergency.
Alert emergency personnel (Campus Safety, Fire Dept., EBC) of person's location.

Assisting Persons with Mobility Limitations - Non Wheelchair Users

Assisting Persons with Limited Communication

Look for an instruction card on the person.
During an evacuation, give clear instructions.
Maintain eye contact with the individual to insure all directions are heard and understood.

Assisting Deaf or Hard of Hearing Persons

Provide the person with a flashlight from their preparedness kit so they can signal their location to emergency responders and to help with lip reading in the dark.
Get the attention of the person before speaking, and look at them when speaking.
Use facial expressions and hand gestures to communicate.
Speak using short sentences.
Use written notes to indicate emergency and instructions, for example, "Fire! Go out rear door now!"
Check to be sure you are understood.
Be patient, the person may have difficulty understanding the urgency of your message.
Be aware that the person may not be able to hear oral commands issued by authorities. Assist by conveying messages.
When out of danger, offer to make phone calls if a TTY is not available.

Assisting Persons who are Blind or have Low Vision

In the planning phase,
Offer emergency information in an accessible format.
Provide orientation to building evacuation routes and pull alarm locations.
During an emergency, announce your presence when entering the person's area.
Ask the person what method of assistance he/she prefers.
Offer your elbow; do not grab their arm or hand.
Communicate through the evacuation by describing in advance physical barriers or action to be taken such as, "Take two steps down."

Assisting Persons with Psychological Disabilities

Make sure exits and safe areas are clearly marked prior to an emergency.
Understand that the person may have difficulties in concentrating, handling stress, and initiating personal contact.
Help reduce stress during an emergency by
Offering to escort the person through the evacuation.
Giving clear and simple instructions.

Assisting Persons with Learning Disabilities

During the planning phase,
Offer to provide information in alternative formats.
Provide adequate signage with simple symbols and review with them for understanding.
When developing printed emergency materials, review to insure easy "readability."
During an evacuation, be patient, giving instructions slowly and clearly.
Offer to accompany them as their sense of direction may be limited.
Encourage the person to practice their evacuation route(s) regularly.

Assisting Persons with Medical Conditions

Medical conditions include, for example, pregnancy, respiratory or cardiac problems.
Offer assistance walking down stairs.
Find ways to reduce stress, exertion, and exposure to dust or smoke.
Remind person to bring medication or inhalers.
Allow rest periods during evacuation, if possible.

Assisting Owners of Service Animals

Do not pet or offer food or water without the permission of the owner.
Plan for the service animal to be evacuated with the owner.
In the event that you are asked to handle the service animal while assisting the individual, hold the leash and not the harness if present.

Disability Support Services

Anderson University Center, Suite 300 (253) 535-7206

Campus Safety

Basement of Harstad Hall, Building 26, (entry on North side of building)

(253) 535-7411 Emergency only: ext. 7911

StudentHealthCenter

Corner of Park Ave. and 121st Street, Building 6 (253) 535-7337